Bailiff help - Arvato

MrsAitch

Hi, we had a bailiff from this company knock our door last week due to a British Gas bill that was 32 days past due. She took my StepChange account number (I had phoned them just that morning for advice, and had printed off all the letters ready to send off to our creditors to arrange a payment plan). She left a notice of their intention to get a Warrant of Entry to fit a PAYG meter (which Step Change had advised us against). I've not been able to get through to SC since their visit, but did call BG and advised them that we have posted a letter with our budget, list of creditors and offer of repayment. The woman at BG couldn't say whether it would be enough to call off Arvato. I'm scared of them coming back now, I'm not sure of the best way to go ahead? We have already made our first payment to BG as advised by SC to begin to clear the arrears. My husband has just (tonight) started a job working nights so hopefully we'll be able to pay more off soon, but priority creditors like Council Tax will be settled first.

Thanks for any help or advice.

MrsAitch

Is there really no one who can offer any help with this?

sourcrates

Hi,

Sorry, dont think many people are around during the day.

First off, dont allow this bailiff access to your property, without first ringing National Debtline, there number is below.

They will be able to answer your questions in regard to this.

National_Debtline

Hi

I’m afraid it can be difficult to stop at this point, unless a mistake has been made by the supplier and it’s procedurally incorrect. It's at the discretion of British Gas whether to proceed with fitting a pre pay meter. To get a warrant after only 32 days of missing a bill payment seems unusually harsh though, unless there has been a history of arrears previously. At the very least they should have tried to come to an affordable payment plan with you.

You’re right that council tax is a priority debt, but fuel arrears on a current supply are too. You’ve done the right thing by contacting British Gas to advise them of your payment plan, and I think it’s worth contacting them again to stress that your husband has recently started more work so you’re less likely to fall into arrears again.

I also think it’s worth applying to the British Gas Energy Trust, which is a trust fund which could potentially help you pay off the arrears. Ask British Gas to put the warrant process on hold while your trust fund application is considered.

www.britishgasenergytrust.org.uk

You're welcome to telephone our helpline to discuss your case in more detail with an adviser.

James
@natdebtline

StepChange_Private_Messages

Hi MrsAitch

Sorry to hear you haven't been able to get hold of us but please do try again if you need any further advice on this. All our contact details are here. I would suggest calling and updating our advisors with the details of your partner's new job and then we can work out if there's any extra money available to go towards paying this debt off. There's still time to make an arrangement so please don't panic.

James is spot on with his advice above. Please do bear in mind that should British Gas apply for Warrant of Entry the costs from this will be added to your bill. Further, a Warrant of Entry is a legal document and gives the right to British Gas to fit a meter. If you were to obstruct them in doing this, you could be fined or arrested. Sourcrates is right to advise you to not allow entry to bailiffs, but a Warrant of Entry is different and does change things if they were to obtain this.

I hope this helps.

Richard